Online Privacy
It may seem like when you're in the comfort of your own home and scrolling in your free time after your day over, that's when your private life starts. Wrong. If your cellphones are on you, the government knows your every step. Most people don't understand how much data the government takes from us. Have you ever noticed that when you're talking about something like a new microwave or a new pair of sneakers that you'll suddenly start getting added to them on social media, yea scary, and it's not just a coincidence.
In class we watched two eye opening TedTalks about online privacy. Emails go through many layers before reaching the receiver of the email. You're not the first person to read it even if it's nothing suspicious. The government claims it's so they will have it in case they need information if you become a criminal, but if it's not criminal behavior, it just seems like a huge invasion of privacy.
As a social media student who frequently puts their life on the internet, I understand that my digital footprint will be monitored by future employers and that seems competently rational and smart by a company to do a background check. But the government seeing everything I have ever sent to my family seems inhumane and scary.
I think the government shouldn't be able to watch over our every move unless there's a reason prompted to it. There should be privacy restrictions on what they can or can't see. Yes, they don't usually leak inappropriate information for no good reason, but it's just the fact that they could, and you'd have no idea who or why.
Facebook is the biggest social media platform for ads. When you're talking to your friends about how much you miss your dog then suddenly you get ads for dog toys or looking up a new jacket they for three days straight you get ads for jackets. This is the government giving access to companies what your interests are. Some people like this and it works well for businesses to reach their target audiences.
Overall, we need to learn to be cautious about what we put out for the world to see on the internet. It can be a scary place and follow you forever if you aren't responsible.
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